Dispatch of automated external defibrillators

ABSTRACT

Technologies are generally described for an automated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch system. In various examples, the AED dispatch system may include a receiver, a vehicle determination unit, and a transmitter. The receiver may be configured to receive, from a first device, a request message that includes first location information that indicates a location of the first device, and also receive, from one or more of second devices, one or more report messages, each of which includes second location information that indicates a location of the corresponding one of the second devices. The vehicle determination unit may be configured to select a vehicle to be dispatched based at least in part on the first location information and the respective second location information. The transmitter may be configured to transmit an instruction message to the second device associated with the selected vehicle to be dispatched.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application is the U.S. National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. §371of International Application No. PCT/US13/69883 filed on Nov. 13, 2013.The International Application is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in thissection are not prior art to the claims in this application and are notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronicdevice that analyzes a cardiac rhythm of a patient and, if appropriate,advises and/or delivers electrical therapy to the patient. The AED isused in a case of potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmia, whichmay lead to a cardiac arrest. Specifically, the AED is able toautomatically diagnose the cardiac arrhythmia of ventricularfibrillation and/or ventricular tachycardia in the patient, and treatthem through defibrillation. The application of the electrical therapyallows the heart of the patient to reestablish an effective rhythm.

The cardiac arrhythmia may rapidly lead to irreversible brain damage anddeath without being successfully treated by defibrillation. It is knownthat for every minute that a person in cardiac arrest goes without beingsuccessfully treated by defibrillation, the chance of survival decreasesby 7 percent per minute in the first 3 minutes, and decreases by 10percent per minute as time advances beyond 3 minutes.

SUMMARY

Technologies are generally described for dispatch of automated externaldefibrillators (AEDs), including systems, methods, and apparatus relatedto AED dispatch.

Various example automated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch systemsdescribed herein may include a receiver, a vehicle determination unitand a transmitter. The receiver may be configured to receive, from afirst device, a request message which may include first locationinformation indicating a location of the first device. The receiver mayalso be configured to receive, from one or more of multiple seconddevices, one or more report messages, each of which may include secondlocation information indicating a location of the corresponding one ofthe second devices. Each second device may be associated with each ofmultiple candidate vehicles, and each candidate vehicle may have anautomated external defibrillator (AED). The vehicle determination unitmay be configured to select a vehicle to be dispatched from among themultiple candidate vehicles based at least in part on the first locationinformation and the respective second location information. Thetransmitter may be configured to transmit an instruction message thatmay include the first location information to the second deviceassociated with the selected vehicle to be dispatched.

In some examples, a method for an automated external defibrillator (AED)dispatch system is described, such as any example method describedherein, that may be performed under control of any automated externaldefibrillator (AED) dispatch system described herein. Some methods mayinclude receiving a request message from a first device, and receivingone or more report messages from one or more of multiple second devices.The request message may include first location information to indicate alocation of the first device, and each report message may include secondlocation information to indicate a location of the corresponding one ofthe second devices. Each second device may be associated with each ofmultiple candidate vehicles, and each candidate vehicle may have anautomated external defibrillator (AED). Some methods may further includedetermining a vehicle to be dispatched from among the multiple candidatevehicles based at least in part on the first location information andthe respective second location information. Various methods may furtherinclude transmitting an instruction message that may include the firstlocation information to the second device associated with the determinedvehicle to be dispatched.

In some examples, an automated external defibrillator (AED) isdescribed, such as any example automated external defibrillator (AED)described herein, that may be adapted to utilize a defibrillation unit,a location identification unit and a wireless communications unit.Various defibrillation units may be configured to provide a patient withelectrical therapy. The location identification unit may be configuredto identify location information of the automated external defibrillator(AED). The wireless communications unit may be configured to transmitthe identified location information to an associated device.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the drawings and the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of itsscope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows an illustrative example environment in whichan automated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch system may dispatch avehicle carrying an automated external defibrillator (AED) to a patient;

FIG. 2A schematically shows an illustrative example of interactionbetween an automated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch system and avehicle carrying an automated external defibrillator (AED);

FIG. 2B schematically shows another illustrative example of interactionbetween an automated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch system and avehicle carrying an automated external defibrillator (AED);

FIG. 2C schematically shows yet another illustrative example ofinteraction between an automated external defibrillator (AED) dispatchsystem and a vehicle carrying an automated external defibrillator (AED);

FIG. 3 schematically shows a block diagram of an illustrative exampleautomated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch system;

FIG. 4 schematically shows a block diagram of an illustrative exampleautomated external defibrillator (AED);

FIG. 5 schematically shows an example flow diagram of a method for anautomated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch system;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example computer program product that may beutilized to implement dispatch of an automated external defibrillator(AED); and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device thatmay be utilized to implement dispatch of an automated externaldefibrillator (AED),

all arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe Figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

This disclosure is generally drawn, inter alia, to methods, apparatus,systems, devices and computer program products related to adefibrillator dispatch system, such as an automated externaldefibrillator (AED) dispatch system.

Briefly stated, technologies are generally described relating to adefibrillator dispatch system, which may be utilized to dispatch one ormore vehicles carrying a defibrillator to a patient location based onthe location of the patient relative to the one or more vehicles. Invarious examples, the AED dispatch system may include a receiver, avehicle determination unit, and a transmitter. The receiver may beconfigured to receive, from a first device, a request message thatincludes first location information that indicates a location of thefirst device, and also receive, from one or more of second devices, oneor more report messages, each of which includes second locationinformation that indicates a location of the corresponding one of thesecond devices. The vehicle determination unit may be configured toselect a vehicle to be dispatched based at least in part on the firstlocation information and the respective second location information. Thetransmitter may be configured to transmit an instruction message to thesecond device associated with the selected vehicle to be dispatched.

Some examples of an automated external defibrillator (AED) dispatchsystem are configured to dispatch a vehicle carrying an automatedexternal defibrillator (AED) to a patient location based on the locationof the patient relative to the vehicle.

The patient may be in possession of a first device, the first devicebeing operable to provide location information associated with theperson. Location information may be provided continuously, at intervals,or after a triggering event, such as a medical incident (e.g., a medicalincident may be detected automatically or following a patient inputthrough an input interface of the first device). For example, a patientaware of concerning medical symptoms may initiate a trigger eventthrough interaction with the first device, after which locationinformation may be provided more frequently, or effectivelycontinuously, for a predetermined time. For example, a person maysubscribe to a service, and as part of the subscription, a device isprovided or configured to provide location information. In someexamples, pressing an emergency button on the first device will bothsend location information to the defibrillator dispatch system and makecontact with 911 or equivalent emergency services. Location informationmay be sent as part of a request message, the request message requestingdispatch of a defibrillator.

Location information associated with the patient (sometimes termed firstlocation information or patient location information) may be provided bya first device, such as one carried, affixed, or otherwise associatedwith the patient. In some examples, the first device may be amulti-functional device, such as a portable electronic device (PED)having one or more additional functional capabilities, such as one ormore of the functionalities of a phone, computer, personal digitalassistant (PDA), global positioning system (GPS), camera, medicalmonitoring device (such as an electrocardiogram), digital voicerecorder, identity card (such as an identity badge, drivers' license,and the like) and the like. In urban areas, where GPS signals may belost, an alternative positioning system may be used as a backup, forexample using phone network information.

In some examples, the first device is configured to be in communication(e.g., wired or wireless communication) with one or more physiologicalmonitors, which may provide monitor signals indicative of a medicalemergency such as a heart problem. For example, a phone type of devicemay be configured to provide the location information may be in wireless(e.g., Bluetooth) communication with a separate physiological monitor,such as a heart monitor. An example physiological monitor may includeskin-contacting electrodes and an electronic circuit configured todetect and analyze electrical signals originating from heart activity.In some examples, the first device may be a physiological monitorconfigured with wireless network access.

In various examples, the AED dispatch system may receive a requestmessage from a first device associated with the patient. The firstdevice may be a device of the patient, or a device located withinproximity of the patient, where examples of the first device may includea smartphone, a cellular phone, a tablet computer, a personal dataassistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or the like. TheAED dispatch system may also receive one or more report messages fromsecond devices, (e.g., periodically received messages). The seconddevices may be respectively associated with multiple candidate vehicles,each of which may have or carry the AED. By way of example, but notlimitation, the second device may be embedded in the AED. By way ofanother example, but not limitation, the second device may be anelectronic device mounted on the corresponding vehicle equipped with theAED, such as a navigation device of the vehicle. By way of yet anotherexample, but not limitation, the second device may be an electronicdevice that may be operated by a driver of the corresponding vehicleequipped with the AED, where the second device may be a smartphone, acellular phone, a tablet computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), orthe like.

In some embodiments, the request message may include first locationinformation that may indicate a location of the first device, and eachof the report messages may include second location information that mayindicate a location of the corresponding one of the second devices. TheAED dispatch system may then select a vehicle to be dispatched fromamong the multiple candidate vehicles that are each equipped with theAED, based at least in part on the location of the first device and thelocations of the second devices. The AED dispatch system may beconfigured to select one or more vehicles to dispatch based onconsideration of which vehicle, among the multiple candidate vehicles,is able to reach the patient most rapidly. By way of example, but notlimitation, the AED dispatch system may be configured to select thevehicle to be dispatched further based on locations of the respectivecandidate vehicles, and/or traffic conditions between the patient andthe respective candidate vehicles.

In some embodiments, responsive to the request message, the AED dispatchsystem may be configured to generate an instruction message that mayinclude the location of the first device (e.g., the location of thepatient), and transmit the generated instruction message to the seconddevice associated with the selected vehicle to be dispatched. By way ofexample, but not limitation, the instruction message may further includeroute information for the vehicle to be dispatched to reach the patient.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an illustrative example environment in whichan automated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch system may dispatch avehicle carrying an automated external defibrillator (AED) to a patient,arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.As illustrated, FIG. 1 shows an AED dispatch system 100, a patient 105,a first device 110, a first vehicle 120-1, a second vehicle 120-2, and athird vehicle 120-3. The patient is associated with the first device.The first device is arranged in communication with the AED dispatchsystem, and may send request messages to the AED dispatch system whenassistance is needed. The AED dispatch system is arranged incommunication with the first device, and also with vehicle occupants(such as the vehicle operator) of candidate vehicles (such as first,second, and third vehicles) through second devices associated with thevehicles or occupants thereof.

During operation, a patient 105 who may need an AED and/or anyone aroundpatient 105, may manipulate first device 110 to send a request messageto AED dispatch system 100. Examples of device 110 may include, but arenot limited to, a smartphone, a cellular phone, a tablet computer, apersonal data assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, vehicle electronics, adesktop computer, etc.

In some embodiments, the request message may include first locationinformation that may indicate a location of the first device 110. By wayof example, but not limitation, the first location information mayinclude GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates of the first device110, cell information of a cellular network accessed by the first device110, and/or information associated with a Wi-Fi access point accessed bythe first device 110.

In some embodiments, each of candidate vehicles 120-1, 120-2 and 120-3may be equipped with an AED (e.g., the vehicle carries an AED that iseither temporarily or permanently associated with the vehicle). Each ofcandidate vehicles 120-1, 120-2 and 120-3 may also include an associatedsecond device (not shown in FIG. 1), configured to communicate with AEDdispatch system 100. By way of example, but not limitation, theassociated second device may be embedded in the AED of candidate vehicle120-1, 120-2 or 120-3 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2A). By way ofanother example, but not limitation, the associated second device may bea portable electronic device associated with candidate vehicle 120-1,120-2 or 120-3 (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2C), such as anavigation device, a smartphone, a cellular phone, a tablet computer, ora personal data assistant (PDA).

In some embodiments, the second devices associated with candidatevehicles 120-1, 120-2 and 120-3 may respectively send report messages toAED dispatch system 100. Each report message may be encoded with secondlocation information that may indicate a location of the correspondingone of the second devices, e.g., a location of candidate vehicle 120-1,120-2 or 120-3. By way of example, but not limitation, each secondlocation information may include a GPS (Global Positioning System)coordinate of the corresponding one of candidate vehicles 120-1, 120-2and 120-3, cell information of the cellular network accessed by thecorresponding one of candidate vehicles 120-1, 120-2 and 120-3, and/orinformation associated with Wi-Fi access point accessed by thecorresponding one of candidate vehicles 120-1, 120-2 and 120-3.

In some embodiments, AED dispatch system 100 may select a vehicle todispatch from among candidate vehicles 120-1, 120-2 and 120-3 based atleast in part on the first location information and the respectivesecond location information. AED dispatch system 100 may take intoconsideration of which vehicle, among candidate vehicles 120-1, 120-2and 120-3, is likely to reach patient 105 most rapidly, when selectingthe vehicle to be dispatched. In this regard, AED dispatch system 100may be configured to calculate a distance between patient 105 and eachof candidate vehicles 120-1, 120-2 and 120-3 based on the first locationinformation and the respective second location information, andselecting one or more vehicles to be dispatched. Selecting one or morevehicles, for example using a vehicle determination unit, may includedetermining one or more parameters for each candidate vehicle, such asphysical distance from the patient, travel time to the patient,available equipment, medical training of one or more occupants, medicalequipment carried by the vehicle, and the like. For example, selecting avehicle may include selecting a vehicle that is estimated to be closestin distance and/or travel time to patient 105 when AED dispatch system100 receives the request message. In some examples, a plurality ofvehicles may be selected.

In some embodiments, AED dispatch system 100 may select the vehicle tobe dispatched further based on direction information of candidatevehicles 120-1, 120-2 and 120-3. By way of example, but not limitation,when the distance between patient 105 and vehicle 120-1 is similar tothe distance between patient 105 and vehicle 120-3, AED dispatch system100 may determine to dispatch vehicle 120-3 since vehicle 120-3 may bemoving toward patient 105, while vehicle 120-1 may be moving away frompatient 105. In some embodiments, each report message may include thedirection information, and AED dispatch system 100 may extract thedirection information from each report message. In some otherembodiments, AED dispatch system 100 may estimate the directioninformation based on the second location information.

The report message may be encoded with various information such as theidentity of one or more vehicle occupants, vehicle identification (forexample, a code number corresponding to the vehicle), medical traininglevel of one or more vehicle occupants, a presence of emergencysignaling devices (such as lights and/or sirens), and whether thecandidate vehicle is in progress to another medical emergency. Thereport message may also indicate an estimated travel time to a specificlocation.

In some examples, a detailed report message may be transmitted atrelatively long intervals, while a less detailed report message may betransmitted more frequency such that the real-time location of thevehicle can be readily attained. In some embodiments, AED dispatchsystem 100 may be configured to select the vehicle to dispatch based ontraffic conditions between patient 105 and candidate vehicles 120-1,120-2 and 120-3. By way of example, but not limitation, even though thedistance between patient 105 and vehicle 120-3 may be estimated asshorter than the distance between patient 105 and vehicle 120-2, AEDdispatch system 100 may determine to dispatch vehicle 120-2 when thetraffic condition between patient 105 and vehicle 120-3 is estimated asworse than the traffic condition between patient 105 and vehicle 120-2.In some embodiments, AED dispatch system 100 may be configured toreceive information about the traffic conditions from one or moretraffic watchers.

In some examples, a traffic watcher is a source of traffic informationavailable to a vehicle and/or the AED dispatch system. One or morevehicles may exchange traffic information AED dispatch system. Thetraffic watcher may be a wireless source of traffic information, forexample through radio transmission, other broadcast service, cellulardata, wireless network, and the like. The traffic watcher may includeautomated aspects, human inputs, and the like. For example, an AEDdispatch system may receive inputs from a person viewing trafficinformation, and may use the traffic information as a parameter inselection of one or more vehicles. In some examples, an AED dispatchsystem may receive traffic information from a traffic watcher, where forexample the traffic watcher is a source of traffic information such asan Internet site supplying traffic information, radio transmission, andthe like. A traffic watcher may optionally include human input, and mayalso be a fully automated traffic information source.

In some embodiments, AED dispatch system 100 may be configured togenerate an instruction message for the vehicle to be dispatched. Theinstruction message may be encoded with the first location informationand/or route information for the vehicle to be dispatched to reachpatient 105. In some embodiments, AED dispatch system 100 may beconfigured to transmit the generated instruction message to the seconddevice associated with the selected vehicle to be dispatched.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates that AED dispatch system 100 selects thevehicle to be dispatched from among three candidate vehicles 120-1,120-2 and 120-3, those skilled in the art will appreciate that AEDdispatch system 100 may take into consideration of any number ofcandidate vehicles for possible dispatch of an AED to patient 105.

The first device may be configured to provide a request message. Therequest message may include first location information that indicates alocation of the first device, and therefore may indicate the location ofthe patient when the patient is in possession of the first device. Arequest message may include one or more of patient location information,a request for emergency medical assistance at the patient location,patient identity, patient medical records, insurance information, aphysical description of the patient, drug prescription information, orany other potentially useful information. An advantage of some examplesis that information associated with the patient may be collected by thefirst device prior to an emergency situation, and thus can rapidlyprovide such information to medical assisters.

In some embodiments, the request message may include first locationinformation that may indicate a location of the first device, and eachof the report messages may include second location information that mayindicate a location of the corresponding one of the second devices. TheAED dispatch system may then select a vehicle to be dispatched fromamong the multiple candidate vehicles that are each equipped with theAED, based at least in part on the location of the first device and thelocations of the second devices. The AED dispatch system may beconfigured to select one or more vehicles to dispatch based onconsideration of which vehicle, among the multiple candidate vehicles,is able to reach the patient most rapidly. By way of example, but notlimitation, the AED dispatch system may be configured to select thevehicle to be dispatched further based on locations of the respectivecandidate vehicles, and/or traffic conditions between the patient andthe respective candidate vehicles.

A second device may be located in a vehicle, or carried, affixed orotherwise associated with the vehicle operator. In some examples, thesecond device may be similar to that of the first device. The seconddevice may be possessed by the vehicle operator or an occupant of thevehicle. In some examples, the second device may be configured tocommunicate with vehicle electronics, such as a vehicle navigationsystem. The second device may be an AED that is adapted for wirelessnetwork connectivity. The second device may be configured to transmit areport message that includes second location information to indicate alocation of the second device. There may be a plurality of candidatevehicles, where each second device may be associated with one of theplurality of candidate vehicles, and where each candidate vehicle has anautomated external defibrillator (AED).

A vehicle may be any type of vehicle including, but not limited to,cars, ambulances, taxis, trucks, motorcycles, buses, two wheeledvehicles (for example, bicycles, motorbikes, scooters), aircraft (suchas airplanes, helicopters and the like), boats, and the like. Thevehicle may be an official vehicle, such as an emergency vehicle, apolice car, an ambulance, a fire vehicle, and the like. An emergencyvehicle may use sirens, lights, etc. to arrive at the location quickly.In some examples, the vehicle may be a private vehicle that isassociated with one or more defibrillator dispatch services. A vehiclemay be adorned with colors and/or logos associated with the AED dispatchsystem provider.

The second location information may indicate a location of the seconddevice and/or the vehicle with which it is associated. The reportmessages may be transmitted continuously, at intervals, and/or onrequest by the AED dispatch system. A second device and an AED dispatchsystem may be configured for communication over a wireless network suchas a phone network, a satellite network, a wireless Internet, or anyother appropriate wireless network. The location information may beprovided by the second device, or other device that is in communicationwith the second device.

In some embodiments, responsive to the request message, the AED dispatchsystem may be configured to generate an instruction message that mayinclude the location of the first device (e.g., the location of thepatient), and transmit the generated instruction message to the seconddevice associated with the selected vehicle to be dispatched. By way ofexample, but not limitation, the instruction message may further includeroute information for the vehicle to be dispatched to reach the patient.

In some examples, the AED dispatch system may be an automated system. Anadvantage of some automated system examples is that human-introduceddelays may be reduced, increasing the probability of a favorable patientoutcome. Some AED dispatch systems may include one or more computersystems arranged in communication with the first and second devicesthrough a network, such as the Internet, phone network, or some othernetwork. Various AED dispatch systems may also be configured to receivedata from other sources, such as traffic data, weather data, and thelike, and may use such data in calculation of estimated travel times. Insome examples, automated AED dispatch systems may be configured toreceive a request message, determine location information related tocandidate vehicles from report messages, determine one or more selectedvehicles to be dispatched to the location corresponding to the requestmessage, and transmit an instruction message to the selected vehicle(s)to proceed to the location associated with the request message, withouthuman intervention. In some examples, this process may be achieved inten seconds or less, and in some examples in two seconds or less. Insome examples, an automated AED dispatch system may include a userinterface, configured to receive instructions from a human operator suchas override instructions.

FIGS. 2A-2C schematically show illustrative examples of interactionbetween an automated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch system 100and a vehicle 120 carrying an automated external defibrillator (AED),arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.As shown in FIG. 2A, an example AED dispatch system 100 may beconfigured to interact with a vehicle 120, and an AED 200. Asillustrated in FIG. 2B, an example AED dispatch system 100 may beconfigured to interact with a vehicle 120, an AED 200, and a seconddevice 210. As shown in FIG. 2C, an example AED dispatch system 100 maybe configured to interact with a vehicle 120, an AED 220, and a seconddevice 230.

In some example embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2A, AED dispatch system100 may be arranged to communicate with an automated externaldefibrillator (AED) 200 carried by vehicle 120. In such cases, AED 200may be configured to identify its location information, and transmit theidentified location information to AED dispatch system 100 in an encodedmessage (e.g., an instruction message). AED 200 may be furtherconfigured to receive the encoded message from AED dispatch system 100.In this example, the AED may also function as the second device, and soa separate second device may not be required.

In some example embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2B, vehicle 120 may beequipped with a device 210 and an AED 220, which may be configured tocommunicate with each other (e.g., wirelessly, via Bluetooth), and AEDdispatch system 100 may be configured to communicate with device 210. Insuch cases, AED 220 may be configured to identify its locationinformation, and transmit the identified location information to device210. Second device 210 may be configured to relay or transmit thelocation information to AED dispatch system 100. Device 210 may befurther configured to receive an instruction message from AED dispatchsystem 100.

In some example embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2C, vehicle 120 may beequipped with a second device 230 and AED 220, and AED dispatch system100 may be configured to communicate with device 230. In such cases,second device 230 may be configured to identify its locationinformation, and transmit an encoded message to AED dispatch system 100,where the encoded message includes the identified location informationand an indication that device 230 is associated with AED 220 (e.g.,device 230 and AED 220 are in the same vehicle). Device 230 may befurther configured to receive an instruction message from AED dispatchsystem 100.

By way of example, but not limitation, second device 210 or 230 may be aportable electronic device including, but not limited to, a navigationdevice, a smartphone, a cellular phone, a tablet computer, or a personaldata assistant (PDA). Example second devices may be similar to examplefirst devices.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a block diagram of an illustrative exampleautomated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch system, arranged inaccordance with at least some embodiments described herein. As depictedin FIG. 3, the example AED dispatch system 100 includes a receiver 310,storage 320, a vehicle determination unit 330, an instruction messagegenerator 340 and a transmitter 350.

Although illustrated as discrete components, various components may bedivided into additional components, combined into fewer components, oreliminated while being contemplated within the scope of the disclosedsubject matter. It will be understood by those skilled in the art thateach function and/or operation of the components may be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. The AED dispatch systemcomponents may be provided by one or more server computers andassociated components.

Receiver 310 may be configured to receive a request message from a firstdevice (e.g., device 110 in FIG. 1). The request message may be encodedwith first location information that may indicate a location of thefirst device. Receiver 310 may also be configured to receive one or morereport messages respectively from one or more of second devices, each ofwhich may be associated with candidate vehicles carrying automatedexternal defibrillators (AEDs) (e.g., candidate vehicles 120-1, 120-2and 120-3 in FIG. 1). In some examples, an AED may act as the seconddevice. Each report message may be encoded with second locationinformation that may indicate a location of the corresponding one of thesecond devices. In some embodiments, each report message may further beencoded with direction information of the respective candidate vehicles.

By way of example, but not limitation, the first location informationmay include coordinates, such as GPS (Global Positioning System)coordinates, of the first device, cell information of a cellular networkaccessed by the first device, and/or information associated with a Wi-Fiaccess point accessed by the first device. Also, the second locationinformation may include a GPS coordinate of the corresponding one of thecandidate vehicles, cell information of the cellular network accessed bythe corresponding one of the candidate vehicles, and/or informationassociated with a Wi-Fi access point accessed by the corresponding oneof the candidate vehicles.

In some embodiments, receiver 310 may be further configured to receiveinformation about traffic conditions from one or more traffic watchers.In some examples, a traffic watcher may be any source of trafficinformation. A traffic watcher may include an automated (orsemi-automated) system configured to collect and broadcast (or otherwisecommunicate) traffic information to one or more components of the AEDdispatch system. Traffic information may include determined and/orestimated traffic conditions such as actual vehicle speeds, delays atcertain locations, variable speed limits, meteorological conditions, andthe like, for some or all roads in a region served by the AED dispatchsystem. In some examples, a person may provide input of trafficinformation to the AED dispatch system, for example by indicating that aparticular vehicle should not be selected because of traffic conditions.In some examples, a vehicle may be selected from an adjacent regioncovered by another AED dispatch system, for example, when advisable dueto traffic conditions, increased demand, and the like.

Storage 320 may be configured to store information about the candidatevehicles. In some embodiments, storage 320 may be configured to updateinformation about the candidate vehicles when receiver 310 receives theone or more report messages.

Vehicle determination unit 330 may be configured to select a vehicle tobe dispatched from among the candidate vehicles based at least in parton the first location information and the respective second locationinformation. In some embodiments, vehicle determination unit 330 may beconfigured to select the vehicle for dispatch further based on directioninformation of the respective candidate vehicles and/or the trafficconditions between the first device and the respective candidatevehicles.

Instruction message generator 340 may be configured to generate aninstruction message for the vehicle to be dispatched selected by vehicledetermination unit 330. In some embodiments, the instruction message mayinclude the first location information and/or route information for thevehicle to be dispatched to reach the first device. Transmitter 350 maybe configured to transmit the instruction message generated byinstruction message generator 340 to the vehicle selected by vehicledetermination unit 330.

In some examples, the function of the AED dispatch system may beprovided by one or more of the first device or the second device. Forexample, the first device may be configured to operate as the AEDdispatch system, and send an instruction message to the second device ofthe vehicle determined to be dispatched by the first device. In someexamples, the second device may be configured to operate as the AEDdispatch system on receipt of the request message, for example bycomparing the location of the second device acting as the dispatchsystem with the location of other second devices, and either dispatchits own vehicle or dispatch another vehicle to the location of the firstdevice. First and second devices may also form self-organized networks(e.g., ad hoc networks) to facilitate vehicle dispatch determination.

In some examples, a request message that is encoded with first locationinformation may be received by a receiver of the AED dispatch system.The first location information may also be provided to other emergencysystems, such as the 911 emergency network in the United States orequivalent emergency networks in other locations. In response to therequest message, the AED dispatch system may capture report messagesfrom one or more second devices. In some examples, the AED dispatchsystem may be configured to transmit a request for report messages fromthe second devices, while in other examples the AED dispatch system maypassively capture report messages without transmitting the request. TheAED dispatch system may be configured to determine one or more candidatevehicles which is able to help the patient. In some examples, an AEDdispatch system includes a vehicle determination unit configured toselect a candidate vehicle to be dispatched to the patient. Theselection of candidate vehicle may be based at least in part on thefirst location information and the respective second locationinformation, and the selection may be made based on one or moreparameters such as travel time to patient, travel distance to patient,medical treatment capability of the vehicle and/or vehicle occupant(s),and/or subscription level of the patient. In some examples, theselection of candidate vehicle may be determined on the basis of anestimated travel time between the first and second locations, andoptionally using other information in the report message. The vehicledetermination may be made based on one or more report messages, orequivalently from stored information derived therefrom. The AED dispatchsystem may further include a transmitter configured to transmit aninstruction message that includes the first location information to thesecond device associated with the selected vehicle to be dispatched. Onreceipt of the instruction message, the one or more selected vehiclesmay then proceed to the first location. A dispatch system may send oneor more messages to the patient after receipt of the request message,such as “Help is on its way.” In some examples, a plurality of vehiclesare dispatched, and in some examples, once one vehicle of the pluralityof vehicles reaches the patient the dispatch instructions for theremaining vehicles may be cancelled.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a block diagram of an illustrative exampleautomated external defibrillator (AED), arranged in accordance with atleast some embodiments described herein. As depicted in FIG. 4, theexample AED 200 may include a defibrillation unit 410, a locationidentification unit 420, and/or a wireless communications unit 430.

Although illustrated as discrete components, various components may bedivided into additional components, combined into fewer components, oreliminated while being contemplated within the scope of the disclosedsubject matter. It will be understood by those skilled in the art thateach function and/or operation of the components may be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In some examples, an AEDincluding a wireless communications unit may be configured to operate asthe second device, and provide second location information.

Defibrillation unit 410 may be configured to provide a patient (e.g.,patient 105 in FIG. 1) with electrical therapy.

Location identification unit 420 may be configured to identify locationinformation of AED 200. By way of example, but not limitation, locationidentification unit 420 may identify a GPS (Global Positioning System)coordinate of AED 200, cell information of a cellular network accessedby AED 200, and/or a Wi-Fi access point accessed by AED 200.

Wireless communications unit 430 may be configured to transmit, to anassociated device, the location information identified by locationidentification unit 420. In some embodiments, wireless communicationsunit 430 may be further configured to periodically transmit theidentified location information to the associated device.

In some embodiments, the associated device may be a portable electronicdevice such as a second device. In such cases, wireless communicationsunit 430 may transmit the identified location information to theassociated device via a wireless transmission, such as Bluetooth. Insome other embodiments, the associated device may be AED dispatch system100. In some examples, the automated external defibrillator (AED) maynot include the location identification unit and/or the wirelesscommunications unit, these capabilities being provided by a seconddevice.

Example defibrillators which may be used with a defibrillator dispatchsystem include an automated external defibrillator (AED). An example AEDis a device that may be configured to apply electrical therapy to apatient to ameliorate a heart disorder, such as cardiac arrhythmia. TheAED may include an electronic circuit, a housing, electrical leads forapplication of electrical therapy, diagnostic electrodes (which may bethe same or different as those used to apply electrical therapy), andthe like.

A defibrillator, such as an AED, may be configured to detect andcharacterize arrhythmia in a patient, for example using sensing andanalysis of electrical signals from the patient skin. Application ofelectrical therapy may be used to induce normal heart function, forexample after occurrence of tachycardia (such as ventriculartachycardia) or fibrillation (such as ventricular fibrillation). In someexamples, a defibrillator may include an automatic injection systemconfigured to administer a cardiac stimulant drug to the patient, forexample in the example of asystole detection.

A defibrillator may also be configured to provide instructions to anoperator, using a visual display, voice synthesis, and the like. Adefibrillator may also be configured to store patient therapy datarelated to the patient treatment, for example including therapy dataindicative of electrical therapy applied to the patient, and diagnosticdata indicative of cardiac function, such as cardiac state before,during, and after electrical therapy administration, and the like.

FIG. 5 schematically shows an example flow diagram of a method for anautomated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch system, arranged inaccordance with at least some embodiments described herein. An examplemethod shown generally at 500 includes receiving a request message froma first device (block 510), receiving one or more report messages fromone or more second devices (block 520), determining the vehicle to bedispatched (block 330), generating an instruction message (block 540),and transmitting the instruction message to a second device associatedwith the vehicle to be dispatched (block 550).

Method 500 may be implemented in an AED dispatch system such as an AEDdispatch system including a receiver, storage, a vehicle determinationunit, an instruction message generator, and a transmitter. For example,example method 500 may be performed by an apparatus such as shown inFIG. 3.

Method 500 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions asillustrated by one or more of blocks 510, 520, 530, 540 and/or 550.Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks may be dividedinto additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated,depending on the desired implementation. In some further examples, thevarious described blocks may be implemented as a parallel processinstead of a sequential process, or as a combination thereof. Method 500may begin at block 510, “RECEIVE REQUEST MESSAGE FROM FIRST DEVICE.”

At block 510, an AED dispatch system (e.g., receiver 310 in FIG. 3) maybe adapted to receive a request message from a first device (e.g.,device 110 in FIG. 1). The request message may include first locationinformation to indicate a location of the first device. By way ofexample, but not limitation, the first location information may includea GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinate of the first device, cellinformation of a cellular network accessed by the first device, and/orinformation associated with a Wi-Fi access point accessed by the firstdevice. Block 510 may be followed by block 520, “RECEIVE ONE OR MOREREPORT MESSAGES FROM ONE OR MORE OF SECOND DEVICES.”

At block 520, the AED dispatch system (e.g., receiver 310) may beadapted to receive one or more report messages from one or more ofmultiple second devices respectively associated with multiple candidatevehicles carrying automated external defibrillators (AEDs) (e.g.,candidate vehicles 120-1, 120-2 and 120-3 in FIG. 1). Each reportmessage may include second location information that may indicate alocation of the corresponding one of the second devices. In someembodiments, the AED dispatch system may receive the one or more reportmessages periodically from the respective second devices. By way ofexample, but not limitation, the second location information may includea GPS coordinate of the corresponding one of the candidate vehicles,cell information of the cellular network accessed by the correspondingone of the candidate vehicles, and/or information associated with aWi-Fi access point accessed by the corresponding one of the candidatevehicles. Block 520 may be followed by block 530, “DETERMINE VEHICLE TOBE DISPATCHED.”

At block 530, the AED dispatch system (e.g., vehicle determination unit330 in FIG. 3) may be adapted to determine a vehicle to be dispatchedfrom among the multiple candidate vehicles. In some embodiments, the AEDdispatch system may select the vehicle to be dispatched based at leastin part on the first location information and the respective secondlocation information. In some embodiments, the AED dispatch system mayselect the vehicle to be dispatched further based on directioninformation of the respective candidate vehicles and/or trafficconditions between the first device and the respective candidatevehicles. Block 530 may be followed by block 540, “GENERATE INSTRUCTIONMESSAGE.”

At block 540, the AED dispatch system (e.g., instruction messagegenerator 340 in FIG. 3) may be adapted to generate an instructionmessage that may include the first location information. In someembodiments, the AED dispatch system may generate the instructionmessage to include route information for the vehicle to be dispatched toreach the first device. Block 540 may be followed by block 550,“TRANSMIT INSTRUCTION MESSAGE TO SECOND DEVICE ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLETO BE DISPATCHED.”

At block 550, the AED dispatch system (e.g., transmitter 350 in FIG. 3)may be adapted to transmit the instruction message to the second deviceassociated with the determined vehicle to be dispatched. In such cases,the vehicle carrying an AED may move to the first location based on theinstruction message, thereby delivering electrical therapy to a patientaround the first device (e.g., at the first location).

One skilled in the art will appreciate that, for this and other methodsdisclosed herein, the functions performed in the methods may beimplemented in differing order. Furthermore, the outlined steps andoperations are only provided as examples, and some of the steps andoperations may be optional, combined into fewer steps and operations, orexpanded into additional steps and operations without detracting fromthe essence of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example computer program product 600 that may beutilized to implement dispatch of an automated external defibrillator(AED), arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments describedherein. FIG. 6 shows an example computer program product 600 thatincludes a signal bearing medium 602, instructions stored on the signalbearing medium 602, a computer readable medium 606, a recordable medium608, and a communications medium 610. The signal bearing medium may be aunitary device, or include several storage media, for example undercommon computer control.

Signal bearing medium 602 includes one or more instructions 604 that,when executed by, for example, a processor, may provide thefunctionality described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5.

By way of example, instructions 604 may include: one or moreinstructions for receiving, from a first device, a request message thatincludes first location information to indicate a location of the firstdevice; one or more instructions for receiving, from one or more of aplurality of second devices, one or more report messages, wherein eachreport message includes second location information to indicate alocation of the corresponding one of the second devices, wherein eachsecond device is associated with each of a plurality of candidatevehicles, and wherein each candidate vehicle has an automated externaldefibrillator (AED); one or more instructions for determining a vehicleto be dispatched from among the plurality of candidate vehicles based atleast in part on the first location information and the respectivesecond location information; or one or more instructions fortransmitting an instruction message that includes the first locationinformation to the second device associated with the determined vehicleto be dispatched. Thus, for example, referring to FIG. 3, an AEDdispatch system such as illustrated at 100 may undertake one or more ofthe blocks shown in FIG. 5 in response to instructions 604.

In some implementations, signal bearing medium 602 may encompass acomputer-readable medium 606, such as, but not limited to, a hard diskdrive (HDD), a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), adigital tape, memory, etc. In some implementations, signal bearingmedium 602 may encompass a recordable medium 608, such as, but notlimited to, memory, read/write (R/W) CDs, R/W DVDs, etc. In someimplementations, signal bearing medium 602 may encompass acommunications medium 610, such as, but not limited to, a digital and/oran analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide,a wired communication link, a wireless communication link, etc.). Thus,for example, computer program product 600 may be conveyed to one or moremodules of AED dispatch system 100 by an RF signal bearing medium 602,where the signal bearing medium 602 is conveyed by a wirelesscommunications medium 610 (e.g., a wireless communications mediumconforming with the IEEE 802.11 standard).

A first device, second device, and an AED dispatch system may eachinclude a computing device. An example computing device is shown in FIG.7.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device 700,that may be utilized to implement dispatch of an automated externaldefibrillator (AED), arranged in accordance with at least someembodiments described herein.

In a very basic configuration 702, computing device 700 typicallyincludes one or more processors 704 and a system memory 706. A memorybus 708 may be used for communicating between processor 704 and systemmemory 706.

Depending on the desired configuration, processor 704 may be of any typeincluding but not limited to a microprocessor (μP), a microcontroller(μC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or any combination thereof.Processor 704 may include one or more levels of caching, such as a levelone cache 710 and a level two cache 712, a processor core 714, andregisters 716. An example processor core 714 may include an arithmeticlogic unit (ALU), a floating point unit (FPU), a digital signalprocessing core (DSP Core), or any combination thereof. An examplememory controller 718 may also be used with processor 704, or in someimplementations, memory controller 718 may be an internal part ofprocessor 704.

Depending on the desired configuration, system memory 706 may be of anytype including but not limited to volatile memory (such as RAM),non-volatile memory (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or any combinationthereof. System memory 706 may include an operating system 720, one ormore applications 722, and program data 724.

Application 722 may include an AED dispatch algorithm 726 that may bearranged to perform the functions as described herein including theactions described with respect to the AED dispatch system 100architecture as shown in FIG. 3 or including the actions described withrespect to the flow charts shown in FIG. 5. Program data 724 may includeany data that may be useful for providing an AED dispatch scheme as isdescribed herein. In some examples, application 722 may be arranged tooperate with program data 724 on an operating system 720 such that theAED dispatch scheme as described herein may be provided.

Computing device 700 may have additional features or functionality, andadditional interfaces to facilitate communications between basicconfiguration 702 and any required devices and interfaces. For example,a bus/interface controller 730 may be used to facilitate communicationsbetween basic configuration 702 and one or more data storage devices 732via a storage interface bus 734. Data storage devices 732 may beremovable storage devices 736, non-removable storage devices 738, or acombination thereof. Examples of removable storage and non-removablestorage devices include magnetic disk devices such as flexible diskdrives and hard-disk drives (HDD), optical disk drives such as compactdisk (CD) drives or digital versatile disk (DVD) drives, solid statedrives (SSD), and tape drives to name a few. Example computer storagemedia may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removablemedia implemented in any method or technology for storage ofinformation, such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data.

System memory 706, removable storage devices 736 and non-removablestorage devices 738 are examples of computer storage media. Computerstorage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich may be used to store the desired information and which may beaccessed by computing device 700. Any such computer storage media may bepart of computing device 700.

Computing device 700 may also include an interface bus 740 forfacilitating communication from various interface devices (e.g., outputdevices 742, peripheral interfaces 744, and communication devices 746)to basic configuration 702 via bus/interface controller 730. Exampleoutput devices 742 include a graphics processing unit 748 and an audioprocessing unit 750, which may be configured to communicate to variousexternal devices such as a display or speakers via one or more A/V ports752. Example peripheral interfaces 744 include a serial interfacecontroller 754 or a parallel interface controller 756, which may beconfigured to communicate with external devices such as input devices(e.g., keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device,etc.) or other peripheral devices (e.g., printer, scanner, etc.) via oneor more I/O ports 758. An example communication device 746 includes anetwork controller 760, which may be arranged to facilitatecommunications with one or more other computing devices 762 over anetwork communication link via one or more communication ports 764.

The network communication link may be one example of a communicationmedia. Communication media may typically be embodied by computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other datain a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and may include any information delivery media. A “modulateddata signal” may be a signal that has one or more of its characteristicsset or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal.By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may includewired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, andwireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), microwave,infrared (IR) and other wireless media. The term computer readable mediaas used herein may include both storage media and communication media.

Computing device 700 may be implemented as a portion of a small-formfactor portable (or mobile) electronic device such as a cell phone, apersonal data assistant (PDA), a personal media player device, awireless web-watch device, a personal headset device, an applicationspecific device, or a hybrid device that include any of the abovefunctions. Computing device 700 may also be implemented as a personalcomputer including both laptop computer and non-laptop computerconfigurations.

Various examples described herein include methods, systems, and computerarchitectures configured for prompt delivery of an AED to a patient'slocation, where the patient may require urgent medical care. AEDs may beprovided in various vehicles, such as doctors' private automobiles,public transportation vehicles such as taxis and buses, emergencyvehicles, and the like. Information related to vehicle location may beprovided using GPS or other positioning system information, which may beprovided to a dispatch center effectively continuously, at intervals,and/or on request from the dispatch center.

In some examples, a patient needing an AED may initiate a requestmessage to the AED dispatch center, wherein the request message includeslocation information such as from a GPS-equipped portable electronicdevice. One or more suitable candidate vehicles can be identified, basedon availability, convenience, travel time to patient, and the like, bythe management center and one or more vehicles dispatched to thepatient's location, for example with the guidance of GPS.

A patient may be any person that may benefit from the dispatch of theAED, which may not necessarily be a person under the direct care of amedical professional. In some examples, a patient may be a person atrisk of heart disease, or a person perceiving themselves at risk, whoavails themselves of a defibrillator dispatch service through anysuitable arrangement. In various examples, a patient may be a personsubscribing to a defibrillator dispatch service. In some other examples,an employer may subscribe an employee to a defibrillator dispatchservice, so that the patient is the employee, even though the employeemay not consider themselves at risk of heart disease, or bestatistically at risk. In various examples, a medical insurance companymay include a defibrillator dispatch service incidental to healthinsurance coverage, in some cases based on a premium paid. In somefurther examples, the patient may be an outpatient who is provided witha defibrillator dispatch service as part of outpatient service. Theseabove described examples are merely illustrative and not intended to belimiting. For example, the term “patient” may refer to a person thatwould become a patient under medical care if they were to suffer a heartattack, but are not necessarily under medical care while availingthemselves of the potential future benefits of a defibrillator dispatchservice. A patient may be any person using or having the option to use adefibrillator dispatch service.

In some examples, an AED dispatch system may locate an AED close to apatient location, and then locate a person (such as a medicalprofession) close to the AED location, for example using a second devicein possession of the person. The AED dispatch system may then instructthe person to retrieve the AED and proceed with the AED to the patientby any convenient approach, for example using a vehicle or on foot. Insome examples, the patient may be located in a pedestrianized area (suchas an airport terminal, railroad station, retail environment, and thelike), and the person may retrieve the AED and convey it to the patientby foot, or using a vehicle appropriate to a pedestrianized area such asan electric cart or the like, or a combination of vehicle and on foot,based upon the patient location. The AED and patient locations may bothbe within the same pedestrianized area, or within the same group ofpedestrianized areas (for example, airport terminal buildings of thesame airport).

An advantage of some example defibrillator dispatch systems is that thedefibrillator settings may be configured for use on the patient inadvance of use of the defibrillator. For example, patient data (such asphysiological and/or demographic data) may be obtained from the patient.These data may include weight, height, age, resting heart rate,preexisting medical conditions (such as cardiac abnormalities) geneticdata, gender, body mass index, emergency contact information (e.g.,name, phone number, email, and/or address of an emergency contact suchas a relative), insurance carrier information, known allergies (e.g., tomedication, latex, or other material), primary care physician contactinformation, specialist physician contact information (e.g.,cardiologist), organ donor status, presently taken medicine (forexample, to avoid administration of incompatible or unfavorablyinteracting medicine), religious person contact information, and thelike. The patient data may be used to determine appropriatedefibrillator settings for the patient, for example in terms ofelectrical parameters used by the defibrillator in relation toelectrical therapy, such as voltage, duration, repetition frequency,number of repetitions, applied energy, polarity, and the like. Thepatient data and/or the determined defibrillator setting data may beassociated with the patient, and may be stored so as to be accessible tothe defibrillator and/or its operator on use. If a defibrillator is usedon the patient, previously determined defibrillator settings may be usedor settings appropriate to the previously obtained patient data may beused. The defibrillator may be configured to select appropriate settingsbased on the patient identity and/or stored patient data, or usingstored settings for the patient.

An advantage of some example defibrillator dispatch systems is thatdefibrillators, such as AEDs, may be located in various locations, andare not limited to medical vehicles such as ambulances. For example,AEDs may be located in any vehicle, such as private vehicles, publictransport vehicles, police vehicles, and the like. AEDs may also belocated at fixed points in publically accessible locations, such aslocations within an airport, railroad station, bus terminal or someother transport facility, office buildings, retail locations, publicparks, as well as other publically accessible locations. In someexamples, AEDs may be provided at private locations (such as residences,retail locations, private airports, businesses, and the like), forexample as part of a subscription service), and dispatched medicalpersonnel may have access to the private location through identitycards, magnetic access cards, transponders, and the like.

An advantage of some example defibrillator dispatch systems is thatlegal liability for use of a defibrillator on the patient may be reducedor substantially eliminated, for example by prior agreement. Forexample, liability of the defibrillator operator may be mitigatedthrough one or more contractual terms of subscription to thedefibrillator dispatch system, licensing terms related to the purchase,rental, and/or use of the first device, or other agreement incident tojoin a defibrillator dispatch system or service based thereon.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended asillustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations maybe made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods andapparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to thoseenumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intendedto fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosureis to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It isto be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particularmethods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biological systems, whichcan, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodimentsonly, and is not intended to be limiting.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely examples, and that in fact many other architectures may beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality may be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated may also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or“operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated may also be viewedas being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interactingcomponents and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactablecomponents.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art may translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one”or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articlesused to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at leasttwo recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in thoseinstances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C,etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the senseone having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “asystem having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not belimited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and Ctogether, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those withinthe art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting twoor more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, ordrawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities ofincluding one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. Forexample, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include thepossibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are describedin terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individualmember or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range may be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein maybe readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third,etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all languagesuch as “up to,” “at least,” and the like include the number recited andrefer to ranges which may be subsequently broken down into subranges asdiscussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in theart, a range includes each individual member.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, and that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intendedto be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automated external defibrillator (AED)dispatch system, comprising: a receiver configured to: receive a requestmessage from a first device, wherein the request message includes firstlocation information that indicates a location of the first device; andreceive one or more report messages from one or more second devices,wherein each of the one or more report messages includes second locationinformation that indicates a location of one of the one or more seconddevices, wherein each of the one or more second devices is associatedwith a candidate vehicle from a plurality of candidate vehicles, andwherein each of the plurality of candidate vehicles has an AED; avehicle determination unit, comprising: a memory implemented in anintegrated circuit; and a processor implemented in an integratedcircuit, the processor coupled to the memory, the processor configuredto execute an application, which through an AED dispatch algorithmperforms: select two or more candidate vehicles from the plurality ofcandidate vehicles to be dispatched based on: the first locationinformation and the second location information, a subscription level ofa patient, the patient associated with the first device, wherein thesubscription level identifies a defibrillator dispatch service providedby the AED dispatch system, wherein the subscription level is associatedwith provision of the AED dispatch system at specific locations, whereinthe provision of the AED dispatch system comprises provision of accessto one or more users associated with the AED dispatch system, the accessbeing provided based on one or more of an identity card, a magneticaccess card, and a transponder, and direction information associatedwith the plurality of candidate vehicles extracted from the received oneor more report messages, wherein the direction information compriseswhether the candidate vehicle is moving towards or moving away from thefirst device; and a transmitter configured to: transmit an instructionmessage to two or more second devices associated with the selected twoor more candidate vehicles to be dispatched, wherein the instructionmessage includes the first location information and instructions todispatch the selected two or more candidate vehicles by the two or moresecond devices.
 2. The AED dispatch system of claim 1, whereininformation associated with the plurality of candidate vehicles isstored in the memory.
 3. The AED dispatch system of claim 1, wherein thereceiver is further configured to: periodically receive the one or morereport messages from the one or more second devices; and updateinformation associated with the plurality of candidate vehicles.
 4. TheAED dispatch system of claim 1, wherein an instruction message generatoris executed by the processor to generate the instruction message for theselected two or more candidate vehicles to be dispatched.
 5. The AEDdispatch system of claim 4, wherein the instruction message includesroute information for the selected two or more candidate vehicles to bedispatched and to reach the first device.
 6. The AED dispatch system ofclaim 1, wherein the first location information includes a locationcoordinate of the first device, and wherein the second locationinformation includes location coordinates of the plurality of candidatevehicles.
 7. The AED dispatch system of claim 1, wherein the firstlocation information includes cell information associated with acellular network accessed by the first device, and wherein the secondlocation information includes cell information associated with thecellular network accessed by the plurality of candidate vehicles.
 8. TheAED dispatch system of claim 1, wherein the first location informationincludes information associated with a wireless network access pointaccessed by the first device, and wherein the second locationinformation includes information associated with a wireless networkaccessed by the plurality of candidate vehicles.
 9. The AED dispatchsystem of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to execute theapplication, which through the AED dispatch algorithm selects the two ormore candidate vehicles from the plurality of candidate vehicles to bedispatched further based on whether the candidate vehicle is in progressto another medical emergency.
 10. The AED dispatch system of claim 1,wherein the request message comprises at least one of: a request foremergency medical assistance to the patient at the location of the firstdevice, patient identity, patient medical records, patient insuranceinformation, physical description of the patient, and drug prescriptioninformation of the patient.
 11. The AED dispatch system of claim 1,wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the requestmessage to the two or more second devices associated with the selectedtwo or more candidate vehicles to be dispatched.
 12. The AED dispatchsystem of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is further configured to:transmit dispatch cancellation instructions, in response to one of theselected two or more candidate vehicles being reached on the firstlocation, to remaining of the two or more second devices associated withremaining of the two or more candidate vehicles.
 13. A method performedunder control of an automated external defibrillator (AED) dispatchsystem, the method comprising: receiving, from a first device, a requestmessage that includes first location information of the first device;receiving, from one or more second devices, one or more report messages,wherein each of the one or more report messages includes second locationinformation associated with a location of one of the one or more seconddevices, wherein each of the one or more second devices is associatedwith a candidate vehicle from a plurality of candidate vehicles, andwherein each of the plurality of candidate vehicles has an AED;determining two or more candidate vehicles from the plurality ofcandidate vehicles to be dispatched based on: the first locationinformation and the second location information, a subscription level ofa patient, the patient associated with the first device, wherein thesubscription level identifies a defibrillator dispatch service providedby the AED dispatch system, wherein the subscription level is associatedwith provision of the AED dispatch system at specific locations, whereinthe provision of the AED dispatch system comprises provision of accessto one or more users associated with the AED dispatch system, the accessbeing provided based on one or more of an identity card, a magneticaccess card, and a transponder, and direction information associatedwith the plurality of candidate vehicles extracted from the received oneor more report messages, wherein the direction information compriseswhether the candidate vehicle is moving towards or moving away from thefirst device; and transmitting an instruction message to two or moresecond devices associated with the determined two or more candidatevehicles to be dispatched, wherein the instruction message includes thefirst location information and instructions for dispatching thedetermined two or more candidate vehicles by the two or more seconddevices.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: receivinginformation about traffic conditions between the first device and theplurality of candidate vehicles from one or more traffic watchers; andusing the information about the traffic conditions to determine the twoor more candidate vehicles to be dispatched.
 15. The method of claim 13,further comprising: generating the instruction message to include routeinformation for the determined two or more candidate vehicles to bedispatched.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first locationinformation includes a coordinate of the first device, and wherein thesecond location information includes coordinates of the plurality ofcandidate vehicles.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the seconddevice is a portable electronic device.
 18. The method of claim 13,wherein determining the two or more candidate vehicles from theplurality of candidate vehicles comprises determining the two or morecandidate vehicles to be dispatched based on whether the candidatevehicle is in progress to another medical emergency.
 19. The method ofclaim 13, wherein receiving the request message comprises receiving arequest message that comprises at least one of: a request for emergencymedical assistance to the patient at the location of the first device,patient identity, patient medical records, patient insuranceinformation, physical description of the patient, and drug prescriptioninformation of the patient.
 20. The method of claim 13, furthercomprises transmitting the request message to the two or more seconddevices associated with the determined two or more candidate vehicles tobe dispatched.
 21. The method of claim 13, further comprisestransmitting dispatch cancellation instructions, in response to one ofthe determined two or more candidate vehicles reaching the firstlocation, to remaining of the two or more second devices associated withremaining of the two or more candidate vehicles.